Chapter Three

That night, as Serena ate her evening meal with her aunt, she found herself thinking about Jack. It had been such a shock, seeing him again. How could he just turn up out of the blue and expect her to drop everything and come away with him?

"Serena?" her aunt was looking at her, half annoyed, half concerned. "Haven't you been listening to anything I've just said? Everyone's talking about it in the market today. Lady Barton's daughter Celia is in love with the gardener boy! Isn't that awful?"

"Uh, yes. Awful." Serena said distractedly.

"Lady Barton was so upset about the matter that I didn't think it the best time to explain about yours and Edward's plans to marry. You are very lucky, Serena, I hope you realise. Lady Barton is distraught that her daughter wishes to marry beneath her. Whoever heard of such a thing! Now you can imagine how I felt all those years ago when I discovered that you and that Sparrow lad were meeting secretly and what not. Ah, well. There's no point bringing up bad memories is there? Would you pass the carrots, dear?"

Serena passed the bowl and carried on shifting the food on her plate around with her fork. For some reason, she couldn't keep Jack out of her mind. She closed her eyes as the memory of Jack turning and walking away replayed in her mind. Why had she said such a hateful thing to him? Why? And now he had probably gone back on his ship, never to return. Her eyes turned shiny with tears. She didn't know why it hurt, but it did. She got up from the table quickly.

"I'm sorry, aunt. I...I'm not that hungry. Would you mind if I retired to bed?"

"A little early, isn't it dear? What's the matter, Serena? You haven't had a silly argument with Edward now, have you?"

"No, no. I'm just tired. Goodnight, aunt."

The butler opened the dining room door for her and only when she heard it close behind her did she start to run up the stairs to her room.

Meanwhile, Jack sat alone in his cabin. Part of him wished that the ship was actually moving, but it wasn't. His crew liked it here in Antigua and he had promised that they would stay for a few days. As he lay down to sleep, thoughts of Serena ran through his head. It was true when he had left all those years ago, he didn't really have any intention of coming back for her. Life on the seas was better than any life he'd have in Antigua. Breaking laws, doing what he wished, having all the women he wanted – of course he wouldn't give that up. What man would? But after seeing Will and Elizabeth come to a happy ending, he began to remember Serena. When he thought about it, he began to remember that she was the only one who knew him - really knew him.

When they were younger, he had had those dreams of being a pirate. But at the end of the day, he hadn't realised that he had a girl who would stick by him no matter what he did, good or bad. No matter what happened, she'd be there at the end of it. Whenever anything had gone wrong, she made it alright. They had been best friends before they were lovers. Years, they'd known each other. And now it was all over.

Yes, it was over. She had her life and he had his. All he'd done was make a fool of himself when he asked her to come back with him. Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't a fool. So then why was he sitting alone in his cabin, thinking about a girl? Stop. He had to stop right now or he'd end up like that William Turner. The next evening, he'd tell his crew they'd be heading for Tortuga instead. He needed to cheer himself up.

But however much he tried to forget and fight against it, Captain Jack Sparrow fell asleep with the memory of Serena's face and womanly figure in his mind.

The next morning, Serena woke up after a very troubled sleep. She had had an odd dream that she was walking along with a man and holding his arm, but when she looked up, it was sometimes Edward's face and sometimes Jack's.

She sat up in her bed in the dim light of the room and shook the dream from her mind. Then the events of yesterday came back to her and she slid down back under the covers until the maid came in to open the curtains.

An hour later, she was walking through the market, unwillingly overhearing the gossip of the townspeople.

"...the gardener! Can you believe it? The shame she's brought on that family."

"...another pirate caught yesterday. Did you come to the hanging?"

"...pilfers and pillagers, they should all be hanged together if you ask me..."

"...of course, my Loretta is so pleased to be getting married to him. Quite an unsightly chap, but I said to her, 'Letty dear, think of the money!'..."

Serena remembered a time when the gossip had been about her. She would walk past with her chin defiantly in the air, her green eyes gleaming dangerously at anyone who bad mouthed her or Jack. She didn't understand what it was with these people. Just because someone was poor, didn't mean they deserved to be talked of in such a way. In Serena's opinion, Celia Barton should be allowed to marry the gardener if she wished. If she had to choose between wealth and happiness, she knew that she'd pick the same. But like her aunt said, she was lucky. Edward Newbury was respectable and he made her happy. He was nice looking in a sensible way and his manners were charming. And of course, she preferred Edward's blue-eyed gaze than Jack's deep brown, soulful, mysterious eyes that made her heart beat quicker and her...

"Serena!"

Edward Newbury's voice snapped her from her thoughts and she looked up to find him beside her.

"Edward!"

"You looked in a bit of a daydream there, Serena!"

"Did I? Oh, I was...thinking about the wedding!"

"Yes." Edward said cheerfully, his blue eyes twinkling. "Let's hope the weather will be as splendid as it..."

Serena's thoughts wondered again as Edward droned on about the weather. It was so boring, she thought! It made her feel like she was talking to a stranger at one of her aunt's parties than her husband-to-be. A memory filled her mind – of her and Jack lying under the stars and talking about the world. They used to have such mind-blowing, interesting conversations. Not like talking about weather!

"...today, I'll be sailing out with the Commodore and most of the high-ranked officers. I can't believe he picked me! I do admit that I've been working hard recently, but I was quite surprised."

"What? Where are you going?"

Edward looked at her in surprise. Sometimes he wasn't sure Serena listened to most of the things he said. But he didn't like to say so. She had quite a fiery temper. But as his father had said, when they married he'd have to see that she would be an obedient, sweet-tempered wife.

"They've traced a pirate ship," he explained patiently. "And I've been chosen as one of the officers to go out after it."

"Edward! You can't go after pirates! You'll be hurt. Or killed!" Serena exclaimed wildly. "Please don't go, Edward. What were they thinking of, picking you? They know we're engaged to be married. You'll have to say you can't go."

"Serena..." Edward's face was grim.

"I could come with you if you want. You know, perhaps flirt a bit, just to..." Serena protested desperately, but she knew there was no use.

"No, Serena." Edward said loudly. His father was right. He needed to take control. How foolish he had been, to let a woman walk all over him. Serena was taken aback at his tone. "I'm going. I want to go. And I'm afraid it's not up to you. From now on you're going to have to do as I tell you. When we're married, you will be obedient and submissive to me. Do you understand?"

"I do understand, but I will not consent to it Edward. You know my personality, but you wish to change me to the humble wife you want. Well, I'm sorry Edward but I'm not like that. I don't want to obey you. That's not love. Perhaps you don't love me after all, if you wish me to change."

"Serena..." Edwards tone softened and he tried to take her arm. Serena shook herself free and started to walk away.

"Leave me alone, Edward."

She walked down the market, not looking back. She did not know that she had just had her last conversation with him.